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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Preview: Oil Kings vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes

October 8, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


EDMONTON OIL KINGS (3-3-0-1) vs. LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES (4-2-0-0) - October 9, 2023 - Rogers Place - 12:00 PM

EOK Today - Tickets - Game Notes

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2023-24 Schedule vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes

Friday, September 29 @ Edmonton (4-3SO LET)

Sunday, October 1 @ Edmonton (8-5 EDM)

Monday, October 9 @ Edmonton

Tuesday, January 30 @ Lethbridge

Friday, February 23 @ Lethbridge

Wednesday, March 13 @ Lethbridge

2023-24 vs. Lethbridge: 1-0-0-1 Home: 1-0-0-1 Away: 0-0-0-0 PP: 1/8 (12.5%) PK: 1/8 (87.5%)

2022-23 vs. Lethbridge: 2-4-0-0 Home: 0-3-0-0 Away: 2-1-0-0 PP: 2/21 (9.5%) PK: 7/20 (65.0%)

Who We're Watching

#17 Gavin Hodnett

Second-year Oil Kings forward Gavin Hodnett returned to the Oil Kings lineup on Saturday night after missing the first six games of the season with an upper-body injury. He made an immediate impact to the lineup after setting up the game's opening goal from Adam Jecho in the first period on an Edmonton power play. Throughout the game, he was creating offence all over the ice generating four shots on goal to go along with a pair of stymied breakaway offerings. The Winnipeg, MB product enters this season looking to build on an incredibly strong freshmen campaign that him finish the 2022-23 season eighth in the WHL in rookie scoring with 43 points (12G, 31A) in 61 games. He was also the fourth highest scoring 16-year-old in the league.

Quotable

"He knows what he wants out of the game. He's had challenges throughout his whole career, whether that's his size or the doubters or whatever. But, he's a persistent kid - he's curious about ways to get better and he's willing to put in the work and do all the things that help you have confidence on the ice, whether that's the work he puts in in the gym, studying film or staying late after practice." - Oil Kings head coach Luke Pierce on Gavin Hodnett

Matchup Notes

Today marks the third of six meetings between the Oil Kings and Hurricanes this season. Entering today, the Oil Kings and Hurricanes have met 100 times all-time during the regular season with the Oil Kings holding a record of 54-36-2-8.

The Hurricanes opened this season series with a 4-3 shootout win at Rogers Place on September 29th, for their fourth straight win in Edmonton.

The Oil Kings however were able to end that streak just a couple days later thanks to a wild 8-5 win on Sunday, October 1. The Oil Kings were powered to victory by three-point (2G, 1A) efforts from both Adam Jecho and Rilen Kovacevic. Marshall Finnie, Vojtech Port, Marc Lajoie and Nathan Pilling would also find the back of the net. Logan Cunningham turned in 44 saves in the Edmonton crease for his second career win over the Hurricanes. After the teams combined for 12 power plays in the previous matchup, there would be just a combined four in the return match with neither team's power play connecting, but Edmonton did get a shorthanded tally from Kovacevic.

The Oil Kings enter play this afternoon having dropped their last two contests including Saturday night's home tilt against the Prince Albert Raiders that saw the road club grab a 4-1 victory despite being outshot 36-21 by the Oil Kings. Adam Jecho continued his strong play, scoring his fifth goal in the last four games. Kolby Hay suffered his first regulation time defeat of the season making 17 saves.

After three straight wins to open their season, the Hurricanes come in having lost two of their last three including a 3-1 loss in Red Deer on Saturday. Brayden Edwards picked up his fourth goal of the season, and second in as many games, in the loss. While Harrison Meneghin suffered his first blemish of the season making 26 saves for the 'Canes.

Milestone Watch

D Carter Kowalyk is 2 games away from 100 career games.

F Nathan Pilling is 7 games away from 100 career games.

F John Szabo is 8 games away from 100 career games.

F Ty Nash is 3 goals away from 50 career goals.

D Marc Lajoie is 2 points away from 100 career points.

Lineup Report

F Ty Nash, upper-body, month-to-month (Games missed: 7).

D Carter Kowalyk, upper-body, month-to-month (Games missed: 6).

F Aidan Litke, upper-body, day-to-day (Games missed: 1).

F Nathan Pilling, upper-body, day-to-day (Games missed: 0).

Streaks

F Aidan Litke is on a 4-game assist and point streak (1G-6A-7PTS).

F Adam Jecho is on a 4-game goal and point streak (5G-3A-8PTS).

D Marc Lajoie is on a 2-game assist and point streak (0G-2A-2PTS).

Who's Hot

F Gavin Hodnett has 26 points (7G, 19A) in his last 34 games and 39 points (12G, 27A) in his last 47 games.*

F Rilen Kovacevic has 12 points (6G, 6A) in his last 17 games and 17 points (8G, 9A) in his last 24 games.*

F Marshall Finnie has 6 points (5G, 1A) in his last 8 games.*

D Parker Alcos has 4 points (0G, 4A) in his last 7 games.

F Adam Jecho has 9 points (5G, 4A) in his last 7 games.

F Ty Nash has 4 points (2G, 2A) in his last 6 games.*

F Aidan Litke has 10 points (3G, 7A) in his last 6 games.

F Rhett Melnyk has 4 points (0G, 4A) in his last 6 games.

*Dating back to last regular season

League Leaders

F Aidan Litke currently sits T10th in the WHL in points (10) and T6th in assists (7).

F Adam Jecho currently sits T3rd in WHL points by a rookie (9) and T2nd in WHL in GWG (2).

D Parker Alcos currently leads all WHL rookie defencemen in points (4).

D Marc Lajoie currently sits T1st in the WHL in plus/minus (+11) and T8th in WHL defencemen points (5).

G Kolby Hay currently sits T1st in shutouts (1), 7th in SV% (.952 min. 2GP) and is 9th in GAA (1.62 min. 2GP).

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